|
 Articles Indexed by TopicFranklin County : GovernmentCensus | Courts | Public Institutions | Public Library | Public Works | Roads/Walkways | Street Lamps | Water Works | Taxes Note: When you select an article from the list below you will be taken to the appropriate page of the newspaper. You may need to scroll down in order to find the particular article you are interested in reading. |
Franklin Repository and Transcript, May 2, 1860, p.
4, c. 4: "The Census."
Editors ask citizens to cooperate in the census
and advertise the wealth of the nation.
Valley Spirit, July 18, 1860, p. 5, c. 2:
"The Census."
Census Marshals are canvassing Franklin County.
"The districts added to the borough from Hamilton and Guilford have been taken and found to
have increased our population seven hundred."
Valley Spirit, January 9, 1861, p. 5, c. 2: "Population."
The
population of Franklin County increased by 2,389 between the census of
1850 and the census of 1860.
Franklin Repository and Transcript,
January 26, 1859, p. 2, c. 1: "The Trial."
Describes and praises the
oratorical techniques of the various attorneys arguing in the case of
Daniel Funk, accused of the murder of John Osborn.
Valley Spirit, April 20, 1859, p. 5, c. 1: "Court
Week."
Complains that "Negro fights and petty assault and battery cases" are clogging the
local courts.
Valley Spirit, April 20,1859, p. 5, c. 4: "A Good Idea."
The Spirit endorses a proposal to devote a special term to trying cases involving
African-Americans.
Franklin Repository and Transcript,
April 25, 1860, p. 5, c. 1: "Local Items."
The court decided that the
Town Council of the Borough of Chambersburg had no power to annex parts of
Guilford and Hamilton townships.
Valley Spirit, February 16, 1859, p. 5, c. 4:
"Fire at the Poor House."
Large barn
destroyed; losses in excess of $5,000. Three men, "paupers at the
institution," are arrested.
Valley Spirit, March 16, 1859, p. 5, c. 3:
"The Poor House."
Praise for the present
steward, physician, and clerk of the institution.
Valley Spirit, December 7,1859, p. 5, c. 2:
"To the Public."
The Directors of the Poor "most positively and strictly" prohibit strangers
from visiting the Alms House and attached grounds on Saturdays and Sundays.
Valley Spirit, December 7, 1859, p. 5, c. 1:
"Right."
Editorial supports new policy of banning visits to Poor House on Saturday and
Sunday. "A great many persons visit this institution through an idle curiosity, and some with a
worse motive. Such visitors interfere very much with the discipline of the establishment."
Valley Spirit, February 15, 1860, p. 5, c. 2:
"The Lowly."
Eulogy for Mary Earley, 77, who died at the Franklin County Alms House.
"Amid all her trials and tribulations, she evinced a sweetness of temper, a soft dignity of manners,
and a meekness of disposition that readily secured her the sympathy of every christian heart."
Valley Spirit, June 6, 1860, p. 5, c. 2:
"Miss D. L. Dix."
Dorothea Dix, the world-renowned philanthropist and
advocate for the
poor, visited Chambersburg last week. "She visited this place about fifteen years ago, at the time
she was memorializing the Legislature of the State on the subject, and examined our Poor House
and Prison, and published in her Memorial a full description of their condition. This lady has
obtained the sobriquet of the "Crazy Angel," but we think the "Angel of the Crazy" would be
more appropriate."
Franklin Repository and Transcript, January 12, 1859, p. 5, c.
3: "Chambersburg Library Association."
Article describes the efforts to supply Chambersburg
with a public library.
Valley Spirit, June 1, 1859, p. 5, c. 1: "Public Library."
Organization formed to create a public library; books purchased.
Valley Spirit, July 13, 1859, p. 5, c. 2:
"Public Library."
Editors wonder "why so little interest is manifested" in the civic duties of
creating a public library. "It seems utterly impossible to procure the attendance of members at
business meetings of the Association." Announcement of next meeting's time
and place.
Valley Spirit, August 17, 1859, p. 5, c. 2:
"The Public Library."
The managers of the Public Library and Reading Room expect to open
to the public on September 1. "It is to be hoped that this
Enterprise will be sustained by our citizens. So far it has been the work of but a few
enterprising persons. There are many in our midst perfectly able to help, who have
yet shown no interest in it. Come, Gentlemen, lend your aid."
Valley Spirit, September 14, 1859, p. 1, c. 4: "Contributions to
the Public Library."
A list of donors and new acquisitions.
Valley Spirit, November 30, 1859, p. 5, c. 1: "Public
Library."
Editors ask: What has become of the Public
Library? "There seems to be a 'screw loose' somewhere in the working of the
machinery of this institution . . ."
Valley Spirit, December 21, 1859, p. 5, c. 2: "Dramatic
Entertainment."
Some "public spirited" young men will offer dramatic entertainment in the
public hall for the benefit of the public library. The Chambersburg Band
and "a fine orchestra
gotten up for the occasion" will perform.
Franklin Repository and Transcript,
August 24, 1859, p. 4, c. 2: "Wisdom of the Acts."
This article praises
the acts of the Pennsylvania assembly that provided for the sale of the
state-owned public works. Selling the money-draining canal and railroad
system is allowing the state debt to be reduced at the rate of one million
dollars a year, and taxes will supposedly be reduced as well. The author
then shamelessly plugs Col. A. K. McClure as one of the men responsible for
the passage of the bills and deserving of the people's vote.
Valley Spirit, August 17, 1859, p. 5, c.
2: "Pavements."
Editors praise town fathers for recent street repairs.
"We trust the side walks will next claim their attention. In the mean
time, we would call their attention to a board walk that is considered a
public nuisance, and calls loudly for removal."
Franklin Repository and Transcript, August 17, 1859, p. 5, c.
1: "Out of All Character."
Complaints about poor condition of the boardwalk.
Valley Spirit, April 25, 1860, p. 5, c. 2:
"Once More."
Editors say gas company is to blame for condition of the
crossing on Market Street, near the post office.
Franklin Repository and Transcript, June
27, 1860, p. 5, c. 1: "Commotion of the Hill-Tops."
Sarcastic
discussion of the recent improvements made to Chambersburg by the town
council.
Valley Spirit, July 18, 1860, p. 5, c. 2:
"Heavy Blasting."
Workmen are using explosives to widen Third Street. "The blasts are not
sufficiently covered to prevent large pieces of rock from endangering the lives of those living
near. Quite a large piece passed through the window of the academy, and had the school been in
session, death, in all probability, would have resulted."
Valley Spirit, March 13, 1861, p. 4, c. 2:
"Our Turnpikes."
Debate over "an act recently passed relative to the Turnpikes in
our borough."
Valley Spirit, July 18, 1860, p. 5, c. 2:
"Price of Gas for Street Lamps."
Editorial notes discrepancies in charges. Allentown has
thirty gas street lights and pays $3 per thousand feet; Chambersburg has thirty-seven lights and
pays about $4 per thousand feet. "What makes the difference?"
Valley Spirit, September 5, 1860, p. 1, c. 4:
"Wanted Badly."
Editors call for "a light at the Market and Third streets crossing, and a
little filling up there."
Franklin Repository and Transcript,
July 18, 1860, p. 5, c. 3: "Water Works."
Two articles discussing the
merits of constructing water works--that although it will be expensive, it
will make life convenient, safer from fire, and enhance property value.
Franklin Repository and Transcript, July
18, 1860, p. 5, c. 3: "Water Works."
The second of two articles
discussing the merits of the construction of water works.
Valley Spirit, July 18, 1860, p. 4, c. 1:
"Water Works."
Editors endorse resolution calling for construction of a
water works. "A trifling additional borough tax, for a few years, will
meet the expense, which no good citizen will grumble at when he can enjoy
the invaluable blessing of an abundance of pure and wholesome water, for
drinking, cooking, washing, bathing, cleansing the streets and every other
useful and healthy purpose to which water may be applied; and last, though
not least, a sufficiency to protect his property in case of fire. What are
dollars and cents in comparison to the comforts and security derived from
an abundant supply of this pure element."
Valley Spirit, August 1, 1860, p. 5, c. 1:
"Water Works Broke Down."
Humorous account of man who sprays water on the streets to
keep down the dust. "After having carefully loaded the "merchine" preparatory to a squirt, he
was wending his way to the field of labor, when down came the water works--that is the
reservoir, out went plug, and away went the water."
Valley Spirit, August 8, 1860, p. 5, c. 2:
"Water Works."
The town council has hired the chief engineer of the
Philadelphia Water Works to make the necessary survey and estimate for the
proposed works.
Valley Spirit, February 20, 1861, p. 5, c. 2:
"The Water Works."
Letter from "K" says the "indefinite postponement" of this subject at
the meeting on Saturday "should not be regarded as if the people
of our town are opposed to the construction of Water Works." They simply feel that "the present
time is most unpropitious for carrying forward such an improvement. Monetary matters are in
an unsettled state, and to procure a large sum at this time, unless at an unusual rate of interest, is
out of the question."
Valley Spirit, April 20, 1859, p. 5, c. 1:
"Antrim."
News item informs Antrim residents where and when they can pay their county
taxes.
Valley Spirit, February 15, 1860, p. 5, c.
1: "Extension of the Borough."
Some property holders in the townships of
Guilford and Hamilton have petitioned the Chambersburg town council to
extend the borough lines "so as to embrace them within the corporate limits
of the town." Taxation issues discussed.
Valley Spirit, March 7, 1860, p. 5, c. 1:
"Extension of the Borough."
Town council agreed to extend the borough
line to include a portion of Guilford Township. "We extend the
hand of welcome to Kerrstown, Broad-Lane, Ripper's Point, Clarksville, &c., and
trust they will deport themselves with becoming dignity since we have extended the
egis of our municipal authority over them."
Valley Spirit, March 7, 1860, p. 5, c. 1:
"Valuation of Franklin County."
The Board of Revenue Commissioners added a million
dollars to the valuation for Franklin County, then cut a half million after the county
commissioners protested. "As the valuation now stands we are placed on a more equal footing
with other counties, and tax-payers should feel themselves under obligations to the gentlemen
through whose instrumentality the reduction was effected."
Franklin Repository and Transcript, April 25, 1860, p. 5, c.
1: "Local Items."
The Court decided that the Town Council of the
Borough of Chambersburg
had no power to annex parts of Guilford and Hamilton Townships.
Franklin Repository and Transcript, April 25, 1860, p. 5, c.
2: "Limits Extended."
Chambersburg's limits will be extended.
Valley Spirit, May 9, 1860, p. 5, c. 1:
"Vote for Council."
Tabulation of results. Reference to "Anti-Tax Ticket."
Franklin Repository and Transcript, May 16, 1860, p. 5, c. 1:
"Local Items."
Article gives the results of the local elections. Article goes on to discuss
local political issues, such as town debt and city improvements, in a sarcastic light.
Franklin Repository and Transcript, June
20, 1860, p. 4, c. 2: "Who It is That Suffers."
The article points out
that the tax burden is heaviest on
the individual working man's earnings, and that the slaveholder pays
little in respect to the property tax on his "stock" of human flesh.
Valley Spirit, January 9, 1861, p. 5, c. 1: "Taxation."
Valuation of real estate in Franklin County, assessment of tax thereon, population of county, and
number of taxable inhabitants therein.
